Follow our expert advice on skin care and your skin care routine for healthy and glowing skin during the harsh winter months.
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Relentless wind, dropping temperatures and overheated indoor air all contribute to winter complexion woes. To combat cold weather skin care concerns, it’s time to tweak your skin care routine to factor in the deep freeze. Say sayonara to unsightly flakes and dehydrated faces. Dermatologist Dr. Betty Bellman shares her tips for protecting your skin against the elements this season.
Skin care tip: Moisturize top to toe
While it might be tempting to be more face-focused when it comes to your skin care routine, don’t forget about the rest of your body. “Winter weather can cause dry chapped lips, dry skin especially on the legs, and dry, peeling cracked hands and elbows,” Bellman says. “Don't ignore dry skin, especially on the legs which can lead to eczema.” Make moisturizing your entire body part of your cold weather routine to ensure dry skin doesn’t take over your body – and your winter. “It is important to apply moisturizer before bed or after your shower to keep skin soft. Use bath oil at least three times a week and to keep hands soft, apply hand cream at night and sleep with cotton gloves,” the dermatologist says. Put lip balm on before going to bed to keep lips moist and smooth, and if your skin is particularly dry, use products designed specifically for heels, hands and feet (she suggests Ahava Dermud Intensive Foot Cream for feet). Check out some of our favourite winter skin products.
Skin care tip: Skip the harsh scrub
We often hear about the importance of exfoliation as a skin care must, and while it does help keep skin healthy and smooth, Bellman advises against this step in the winter. “Exfoliation is not a good idea during winter. Our skin can get very abraded, raw and irritated,” she explains. “Exfoliating abrades the skin little by little, disrupting its integrity and exfoliating can make already dry skin even dryer.” If you can’t go without (or your skin isn’t exceptionally dry) she suggests using papaya enzyme scrubs or sugar scrubs once every ten days. Otherwise you can keep skin smooth without scrubbing by using moisture masks.
More easy ways to update your skin care routine on the next page ...
